Township water problem fixed

cause remains mystery

Coliform bacteria has dissipated, say South Whitehall officials.

The coliform bacteria problems in South Whitehall Township's water system have been resolved, but officials still do not know the cause.

Township Manager Gerald S. Gasda said follow-up testing showed the bacteria had dissipated and systems are being monitored and flushed to prevent repeat problems.

"I'm going to be the bad guy and say it came from the city, but there's no way for us to know that," Gasda said.

South Whitehall has 12 wells but receives Allentown water from three locations. That water often mixes throughout the township, Gasda said, citing evidence of fluoridation found in sections of South Whitehall.

Allentown's water is fluoridated, South Whitehall's is not.

Allentown Water Bureau officials could not be reached, but a state Department of Environmental Protection official said there have been no positive tests in the Allentown system.

"It has happened several times in recent years in the larger systems," said Ted Veresink, sanitarian supervisor for DEP's Bethlehem District.

Veresink said the cause is often not found and that the problem goes away on its own. He also confirmed the bacteria posed no safety hazards.

Gasda said the coliform found through routine testing in September was not the dangerous e-coli or fecal coliform and no health problems had been reported. But the presence of the bacteria can indicate other, more harmful contaminations in the water, according to a legal advertisement in The Morning Call last week.

The ad was required by federal regulations to notify customers that seven of 56 tests in September revealed coliform bacteria. Federal Environmental Protection Agency standards allow no more than two positive tests.